Switch box



' 1,674,023 0. s. SCHAIRER SWITCH BOX Filed April 3, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wnusssss; INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 19, 1928. 1,674,023

0. S. SCHAIR ER SWITCH BOX Filed April 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I I I 56 INVENTOR 0/ 55 0270 5. Schaireft Patented June 19, 1928.

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UNITED STATES 1,674,023 PATENT OFFICE.

i OTTO S. SCHAIRER, OF PLUM TOWNSHIP, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AS- SIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO EXCEL PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A COB- -PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH BOX.

Application filed April 3, 1925. Serial No. 20,453.

My invention relates to electric switches and switch boxes and particularly to those used for controlling traflic signals upon automobiles and other vehicles.

One object of my invention is to provide a relatively simple, compact, and inexpensive structure for a combined switch and switch box that is adapted to be placed beneath or adjacent to one of the pedals of an automobile and to be actuated bythe foot of an operator.

In practicing my invention 1 provide a base member that is formed of a single piece of punched sheet metal and that has mounted thereon and insulated therefrom a plurality of fixed contact members and a single resilient movable contact member. A cover member is formed from a single piece of punched sheet metal and is pivotally mounted on the base member at a single point.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a view, in side elevation, of an automobile with which is associated a device embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of. a device en1- bodying my invention, certain portions being broken away to show the interior thereof,

Fig. 3 is a view, in longitudinal section therethrough, taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2, r

Fig. t is a top plan view of the base memher and the co-operating contact members mounted thereon, v

Fig. 5 isv a developed top plan view of a sheet metal punching constituting the cover member, I

Fig. 6 is a top .plan view-of a sheet metal punching constituting the base member, and,

Fig. 7 is a diagram of connections employed with my improved switch box.

A switch box 11 comprises a bottom or base member 12 and a top or cover member 13 that interfits with the base member. The base member 12 is made of a single formed punching of suitable sheet metal, the shape of the blank of which is illustrated more particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings It comprises a central portion ltthat is provided with an integral front flange portion 15 and an integral rear flange portion 16 each of which is bent downwardly substantially at right angles to the portion 1 1. The width of the flange portion 15 is greater than that of the flange portion 16. Integral side flange portions 17 and 18 are provided at the respective sides of the central portion and are made wider at the front end than at the rear end. The flange-s 17 and 18 are provided with extensions or mounting flanges 19 and 21 each having. a slot 22 therein for the reception of screws or bolts for fastening the switch box to the floor or to the footboardsof an automobile. It will be understod that the side flanges 17 and 18 are bent downwardly to .co-operate with the front and rear flanges hereinbefore mentioned in forming an open bottom boxlike casing, with the mounting flanges extending laterally therefrom.

The top casing or cover member 13 is likewise formed from a single piece of punched sheet metal and comprises a central portion 23, a relatively wide front flange portion 24, a narrow rear flange portion 25 and two tapcrcd side flange portions 26 and 27 that are arranged with their wider ends adjacent to the ends of the wide front flange. Thecover member 13 is formed into an open bottom boxlilze casing by bending the side, and the.

front and rear flange portions, downwardly until they are substantially at right angles to the plane of the central portion.

The two casings are located in interfitting relation relatively to each other, as is shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Itis understood, of course, that the internal dimensions of the top casing 13 are slightly .larger than the external dimensions of the base 12in order that the. top, member may move freely relatively to the base. A single pivotal connection is provided between the vtwo casings, a substantially circular depression 28 being provided in the top casing adjacent to the rear edge and centrally thereof, with. an opening 29. therethrough, which opening registers with an opening 31 in the base member. Amachinc screw 32 having a flathead extends through the registering openings 29 and 31 and has a nut 33 mounted thereon on the under side of the casing 12.

A plurality of fixed cont-act members 34, 35, 36,- and 37 are located in alined and spacedrelation on the upper surface of the base member 12 adjacent to the front edge thereofia sheet of insulating material 38 being provided to insulate the contact members from the base member. Each of the fixed contact members comprises a rivet having a relatively large and rounded head, the

body portions of which extend through alined openings 39, 41, 42, and 43, the location of which is more particularly shown in Fig. (loft-he drawing. A sheet 44 of insu-' lating material is located against the bottom surface of the central portion 14, and the rivets extend therethrough and through Fahnestock connectors 45, one of each of which is provided for each contact member.

The contact members 35 and 36' are electrically connected by a strip 46 of thin sheet metal which is located againstthe outer surface of the sheet 38. [The heads of the contact members 35 and 36 are made higher than those of the rivets 34 and 37 and consequently the contact members 35 and 36 proprotecting the same.

also secured-to the member 48 as well as one end of .a lever-switch 52. The shape and dimensions oi? the rivet member 48 are such that the lower end thereof can, be riveted over against the body portion of the contact member without tightly clamping the switch blade 52. a The lever switch 52 is'adapted to extend either to the right or to the'left through either an opening 53 or an openlug 54 provided in the tapering side flanges 17 and 18, respectively. In order to insure that thelever 52 shall not come into operativ-e engagement with the metal bottom member,'I preferably provide suitable insulation 55 "at theouter end portion thereof Where it projects through the side flange. Asthis lever switch is to be operated by the foot or heel of the driver of an automobile, it is likely to be subjected to hard use or even to abuse and the insulation provided will aid in The tapering flange port-ions 26 and 27 of the cover member are provided with recesses 56 and 57 respective ly, in order to provide room for the lever 52 to project therethrough.

A fixedswitch jaw 58 is mounted on the lower side of the central portion 14 of tl base member and is insulated therefrom in substantially the same manner as was here- 'inbefore described in connection with the member 47 of T-shape. Any suitable or desired form'of contact member 58 may be employed so long as-it is adapted'to be en- 'gaged-by the uninsulated portion of the lever switch 52.

' "The forward portion of the resilient contact member46 extends laterally of the base member above the alined contact members 34,

35, 36, and 37, and the end portions thereof are bent slightly upwardly as indicated by the numeral 59 in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The rear portion of the member 47 is bent upwardly and is suflici-entlystrong to normally yieldingiy'hold the top casing 131away from the base member 12 at the forward portions thereof, and a sheet 61, of electric insulating material, is located therebetween to insulate the resilient contact member from the top casing. Means for limiting the separating movement of the forward portion of the top casing relatively to the base casing comprise, a pair oflug's 62 and 63 that are suitably secured to'the inner surface of the integral flange portion 24 adjacent to the lower edge thereof. The members 62 and 63 project into elQngated'Openings 64 and 65 in'th'e front flange 15 of the base casing, thereby limiting the'separating movement of the two casing portions.

It is intended that the switch box embodying my invention shall be located in an automobile 66 adjacent to a control pedal 67 and'on the floor 68 thereof, in such position that. it may be engaged by the heel of an operator when actuating either the clutch pedal or the brake pedal, thereby constituting a heel rest for the operator. A signal box69 is located on a rear tender of the motor vehicle or elsewhere and a plurality of electric conductors 71 extend between the switch box ll'and the signalbox 69 and also to a suitable source of supplyof electric energy, such as the usual storage battery of the motor vehicle.

The switch box embodying my invention is intended to be employed with a signal box 69 that is adapted to give signal indications as to the 'drivers intent-ion to stop or slow dows in the signal box, which windows are provided with arrows at the sides'to indicate directions of turning, and wit-hthe letter S or the word Stop or $10 intermediate the arrows. Other designations or indicators 'may however, also be used.

If the operator wishes to energize the stop signal indicator. he has only to press 'downwardly with his heel located centrally on the top casing. The resilient contactmember 47 will be caused to engage the intermediate contact members 35 and 36, which contact members are higher than the other contact members, not only by reason of being heavier,

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but also by reason of the member 46 being located under the heads thereof. As the two contact members 35 and 36 are spaced an appreciable distance apart, there will be little or no tendency for the cover member to tilt laterally thereof and engage one of the other fixed contact members. To aid in this it is preferable to make the member 46 relatively thick so as to raise the contact members 35 and 36 above the plane of the other contact members.

If the operator desires to make a right hand turn he need only shift his heel laterally of thetop casing toward the right hand edge thereof and then press thereon. The resilient contact member 4.7 will be caused to engage not only the higher contact member 36, but also the outer and somewhat lower contact member 37. Two signal indicators, namely the slow or stop indicator 7 2 and the right hand indicator 74 will be energized. If the stop signal indicator is red and the right hand turn signal indicator is green, which is the preferred arrangement, a distinctive indication is given to the operator of a followin vehicle as to the o erators intentions.

As the top casing has a single pivotal mounting on the lower casing constituted by the bolt 32, it may move or tilt relatively to the base casing, not only straight downward or forward, but also in a lateral direction. Complete freedom of the tilting or pivotal movement of the upper casing relatively to the lower casing may be obtained by suitable clearances between the two interfitting casings and by proper adjustmentof the nut 33 on the holding nut 32. v

If the operator desires to make a left hand turn he will actuate the upper casing 13 by placing his heel thereon adjacent to the left hand side thereof, and a downward pressure will cause the engagement of the resilient contact member 47 with the two fixed contact members 34 and 35. thereby energizing the respective signal indicators 73 and 72.

A parking lamp 76 may embody a separate incandescent lamp, of small candle power, mounted in the signal box 69 and have one of its terminals connect-ed to the fixed contact terminal 58. If it is desired to energize the parking lamp 76 the operator need only effect a forward movement of theswitch lever 52 to engage the contact member '58 and therethrough in either direction as may be desirable or necessary.

The front flange of each of the casings is wider than the rear flange thereof and the purpose of this arrangement is found in fact that, when the switch box comprising the two casings and the contact terminals therein is located on the substantially horizontal floor boards of a motor vehicle, the upper surface of the switch box is inclined downwardly toward the back of the vehicle. lVhen used as a heel rest, a forward movement of the operators heel, such as when moving a foot pedal forwardly, will cause a movement of the top casing downwardly and a consequent energization of the desired signal indications without the necessity of a direct downward pressure on the top casing.

Th device embodying my invention thus provides a relatively simple and compact switch box comprising a minimum number of parts and consisting of a pair of relatively shallow, open-bottom, box-like casings made up of formed and punched sheet metal, or of'drawn sheet metal, having co-operating contact members therein. lVhile I have illustrated and described the device embodying my invention as comprising a sheet metal plate that is punched and formed to the desired shape, it is evident that a switch box of the same shape may b obtained by suitable drawingoperations, and such method of construction is also contemplated.

The switch box embodying my invention may also be employed for energizing other devices than those enumerated above. An audible signal may, for example, b energized by means of the switch box. It may also be employed in eo-operation with con trol means where it is necessary 01' desirable that the operator give a visual or an audible signal simultaneously with the actuation of the control means.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention. modifications may be made therein without departing from th spirit and scope of my invent-ion, and I desire that the claims shall be limited only by the prior art.

'I claim as my invention 1. In a switch box, in con'ibination, an open-bottom, box-like base, a superposed open-bottom box-like cover interlitting with said base, a plurality of fixed contact members mounted on and insulated from said base, a resilient contact member of T-shapc mounted on said base normally yicldingly separating said base and said cover and effective to selectively engage said fixed contact members upon movement of said cover.

. 2. In a switch box, in con'ibination, two infer-fitting open-bottom, box-like casings. a pivotal connection therebetween, a plurality of fixed contact n'iembers mounted on and insulated from the lower of said casings adjacentto the front edge thereof, a resilient contact member of substantially T-shape mounted on said lower casing adjacent to the rear edge thereof and normally, yieldingly maintaining said casings in spaced re lation at the front edges thereof, and 'means for limiting the separating movement-of the casings.

3.1n a switch box, in combination, an open-bottom, box-like base, a superposed open-bottom, box-like cover interfitting with said base, both said base and said cover members being of greater height at the front end than at the rear end thereof, a plurality of fixed .contact members mounted on and insulated from said base, a resilient contact member mounted on and insulated from th base adjacent the rear end thereof and effective to normally yieldingly separate said cover and said base at the forward end there of and selectively engageable with said fixed contact members by a movement of the front end portion of said cover member.

i. In a switch box, in combination, an open-bottom, box-like base, a superposed open-bottom, box-like cover interlitting with said base, a plurality of fixed contact members mounted on and insulated from said base adjacent to the front end thereof, a resilient contact, of T-shape, mounted on said base adjacent to the rear end thereof normally yieldingly separating said base and said cover at the front end thereof, and a single pivotal connection between saidcover and said base adjacent to the rear end thereof, whereby the upper surface of said cover is inclined downwardly. toward the rear thereof.

5. In a switch box, in combination, two open-bottom, box-like interfitting casings, a single pivotal connection therebetween adjacent to one edge only of saidcasings and at an intermediate point thereof, a fixed contact member mounted on and insulated from oneof said casings adjacentto the other edge of the casing, a resilient contact member mounted on and insulated from said one casing adjacent to said pivotal connection and adapted to be caused to engage said fixed contact member by a movement of the second casing.

6. In a switch box, in combination, two open-bottom, box-like in er itting casings, a single pivotal connection therebetween adjacent to one edge only of thecasings and at an intermediate point thereof, a pair of fixed and electricallyconnected contact members mounted in spaced relation on'and insulated from one of said casings adjacent-to the other edge of the casing, a resilient contact member mounted on and insulated from said one casing adjacent to said pivotal connection and adapted to be caused to engage said pair of fixed contact members by a tilting movement of the second casing, said member, the relative positions of the terminals and switch member being such that when the outer shell member is pressed'centrally the switch member will engage only one terminal and when pressed 'on'one side the switch member will engage two terminals. r I I 9. A switch comprising three spaced terminal members, the contact face of the intermediate member being higher than the contact faces of the outer members, anda T-shaped switch member supported at its base and having its cross-head portion adja cent to the terminal members.

10. A switch comprising a base,spaced terminals, opposed switchcontacts, and an actuating cover member attached to the base at an intermediate point on one side only thereof by a joint that permits offreedom of movement of the other side for actuating the switch. v 1

11 A switch comprising a base, spaced terminals, opposed switch contacts, and an actuating cover member attached to the base at an intermediate point on one side only thereof by a joint that permitsof freedom of movement of the other side for actuating tch member, the relative positions of the pared contact members preventing a-lateral til) the switch, the said covermember being inclined upwardly from the side that-is attached to the base.

12. A switch comprising a base, spaced terminals, opposed switch contacts, and an actuating cover member attached to the base on one side by 'a joint that permits of freedom of movement of the other side for I actuating the switch, the relative positions of the terminals and switch contacts being such that when the opposite side of the cover member is pressed centrally only one per shell member being inclined upwardly from the side that is attached to the base.

14. A switch comprising two inverted in terfitting shell members the inner of which constitutes a base, spaced and aligned terminals supported by the base, an opposed switch member, and a joint at an intermediate point of one side only of the shell members which permits relative movement thereof at the other side for actuating the switch, the distance between the intermediate terminal and the switch member be ing such that when the side of the upper shell member is pressed centrally only the intermediate terminal is engaged, and when it is pressed laterally both the intermediate and the corresponding side terminal are engaged.

15. A switch comprising two inverted interfitting shell members having inclined top faces, contact terminals mounted upon but insulated from the inner shell member, one of which is of greater height than the others, and a T-shaped switch member also mounted upon but insulated from the upper face of the inner shell member and arranged to en'- .gage either the higher contact terminal alone or the said higher terminal with one other terminal, and means for connecting the two shell members together to permit of relative movement thereof and selective engagement of the switch member with the contact terminals.

16. A switch comprising two interfitting shell members having inclined top faces, contact terminals protruding through and insulated from the inclined face of the inner shell member and having their contact faces exposed in the space between the interfitting shell members, connecting devices attached to the outer ends of the contact terminals, the face of one of said contact terminals being in a dilferent plane from the faces of the remaining terminals, and a resilient T- shaped switch member mounted upon and insulated from the inner shell member be tween the two shell members and arranged to engage either one or two of the contact terminals, and means for connecting the shell members together to permit of relative movement thereof and selective engagement of the switch member with the contact terminals.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2nd day of April, 1925.

OTTO S. SGHAIRER. 

